I Think I Shall Never See A Billboard Lovely As A Tree

My dislike for billboard sprawl goes back 20 years to the first time I saw Montana’s Flathead Valley. In spring 1977, I was awe-struck by the changing beauty of the rugged terrain as I drove from Spokane to a job interview in Kalispell. Naturally, I expected the Flathead Valley to be prettier still. As I dropped down from Somers on U.S. Highway 93, however, the first thing that caught my eye wasn’t the towering Rockies to the east. Or the vast, lush valley that soon was to become my home. It was the billboards. Mile after mile of them. I was amazed that residents of such an idyllic setting would allow anyone or anything to hamper their view. Now, I’m experiencing a sense of deja vu as shortsighted politicians and civic leaders in North Idaho have allowed billboard companies to cheapen our port of entry and roadsides. I’d advise you to stop and smell the pine trees while you still can see them.

Happy days are ahead for radio listeners

KXLY Broadcasting Group’s purchase of the two Hagadone radio stations is the best thing to happen in Coeur d’Alene in regard to the media since The Spokesman-Review moved here full time in 1983. First, the locals will get a third media perspective, independent of the Hagadone Corp. and us. On the AM side, I’ll predict KXLY will offer a Coeur d’Alene version of talk radio instead of the current chitchat with local politicians to which no one listens. Secondly, KXLY has the expertise to revive the floundering stations. Finally, executive Steve Herling should take personal pride in producing a first-rate product because he lives year-round on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Here’s hoping the Federal Communications Commission will approve the sale.

Combined election provides NIC trustees with job security

Ironically, North Idaho College trustees fought for years to keep from combining college elections with general elections. They thought their parochial elections would be lost in the hype of other fall campaigns. Now, three of them (Jeanne Givens, Barbara Chamberlain and Bob Ely) probably will escape being recalled because the board did decide last year to combine the elections. Due to the large voter turnout in November, students leading the recall effort are required to collect almost 15,000 signatures in 60 days. Ordinarily, they would have had to have collected fewer than 1,000 signatures. Organizers aren’t likely to achieve their goal. But it’ll be interesting to see how many patrons have lost confidence in the current board for its forced ouster of President Bob Bennett.

, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125 or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.